Convictions, death sentence upheld for Las Vegas killer
CARSON CITY — The Nevada Supreme Court has upheld the murder convictions and death sentence of Gregory Hover, who was found guilty by a Las Vegas jury in 2013 of killing two people during a crime spree that also involved a rape and robbery.
In a 6-1 unpublished decision, the court rejected numerous challenges brought by Hover either as being unwarranted or because any mistakes were deemed to be harmless error.
"Hover contends that the cumulative effect of errors warrants reversal of his convictions and sentences," the court majority said in upholding the jury's verdict and sentence. "However, a defendant is not entitled to a perfect trial, merely a fair one."
Justice Michael Cherry dissented, arguing that several of the errors at Hover's trial affected his right to a fair trial.
During Hover's penalty hearing in Clark County District Court in May of 2013, prosecutors described Hover as a racist who took pleasure in the suffering of his Hispanic victims. Defense lawyers said Hover had endured abuse as a child in Oklahoma but lived a normal life as a husband and father in Las Vegas before turning violent.
Hover was employed as a process server when he kidnapped 21-year-old Prisma Contreras from a parking lot on East Tropicana Avenue. He proceeded to rape, stab and strangle her.
The young mother's body was found in a burned-out car south of Boulder City on Jan. 15, 2010.
Hover also was convicted of fatally shooting 64-year-old Julio Romero during a robbery on Jan. 25, 2010.
Contact Sean Whaley at swhaley@reviewjournal.com or 775-461-3820. Find him on Twitter: @seanw801
